Master Key (3)
Master Key (3)
Master.
The founder of the secret community known as the Watchers of the Round Table. The members all let out sighs of disappointment when he disappeared without a trace.
“Whew, he’s really gone.”
“…It felt different from when he left the chat room.”
“Yes, it was like… when he logs out.”
Their voices were filled with questions.
Well, I feel the same way.
“But you can only log out by returning to your room, right?”“Judging by what he said, it seemed more like he was forced out.”
It’s different from Lee Baekho’s case.
He had a one-hour time limit from the beginning because he took an ‘early version pill’.
But what about the Master?
He was originally fine, but then something happened.
And not in real life, but in the ‘Ghostbusters’ community.
Did they have a similar thought to mine?
“What the hell happened to the Master…?”
“Pfft, I don’t know what it is, but one thing’s for sure.”
“What’s that?”
The Clown lowered his voice at Fox’s question.
“The fact that he disappeared for a year without a word is related to the GM.”
A brief silence fell.
It wasn’t because it was shocking, but rather a silence that arose as they each contemplated.
It seemed like they generally agreed with his guess.
“Well, that’s the most likely possibility.”
“But there’s a contradiction. If the Master was really sanctioned by the GM, how could he reappear here?”
“He’s a mysterious person. Since this is a space created with magic, maybe he found a solution using magic?”
“Th, th, then that means he’s a more skilled mage than the GM who created this community! Our Master is.”
“It’s a plausible story. Pfft.”
The members then exchanged various guesses, and I just listened quietly since it was quite interesting.
Of course, it didn’t last long.
“…Um, Mr. Lion, do you happen to know anything?”
All eyes naturally turned towards me.
It was only natural.
After all, I was the one who pretended to be Lee Baekho and called him ‘old man’.
They must have thought I might know something.
But…
“Well…”
How would I know?
I’m also curious about his identity.
Of course, I have no intention of saying that.
Geez, how embarrassing.
“Ye, yes, I see. As expected, even Mr. Lion…”
It doesn’t suit the ‘Lion’ persona to say he doesn’t know.
It would be better if it were like this.
“I have a guess.”
I cut Fox off and muttered briefly.
Fox’s tone, which was filled with disappointment, suddenly brightened up.
“A guess? Is, is that true? No, I don’t mean to doubt you, Mr. Lion…”
Fox’s eyes, visible through the slits of her mask, were filled with anticipation.
For reference, it’s the same for the other masked figures.
‘…Actually, I don’t even have a guess.’
My remaining modern conscience twitched, but I ignored it and cut Fox off again.
“Te, tell us quickly. What happened to the Ma—”
“Stop.”
“…Huh?”
Fox, who thought I would answer, looks at me with a dazed expression.
But there’s no need for a long explanation.
Just a slight shrug is enough.
No one here doesn’t know what that gesture means.
“So you’re saying you’ll tell us if we bring something interesting. Pfft.”
If you want something from me, bring something that’s worth it.
That’s the rule ‘Lion’ established at the Round Table.
Then what will ‘Fox’ answer?
“…Alright.”
As expected.
‘Fox’ was the one who was particularly obsessed with the Master’s whereabouts.
“But the bar is a bit lower for me, right? It’s not even certain, just a guess…”
I don’t answer, and Fox lets out a deep sigh.
It seems like she didn’t expect to be in this situation, after the Clown was baited with ‘sacred relic’ and Crescent Moon was obsessed with the ‘Stone of Resurrection’.
“I feel like I have a new comrade. You’ll have a hard time from now on, Miss Fox.”
Fox smiles bitterly at Crescent Moon’s words of comfort.
It means the quality of information will increase even further.
‘Now only Antler and Goblin are left…’
I push aside my smugness and speak nonchalantly,
“Boring.”
“…….”
“Enough with the small talk.”
“Yes, let’s start the meeting.”
It’s time to reap the harvest since I’ve thrown enough bait.
It’s already the 4th gathering, after the 3rd one where no one showed up.
Goblin is the first to go.
“The Magic Tower is working on finding a way to break through Noark’s barrier.”
At first, everyone reacted as if he was stating the obvious, but they all understood after Goblin’s explanation.
“For reference, it seems like they need a certain amount of divine power, and they should at least be able to shorten the time it takes to dispel the barrier.”
“So you’re saying there’s been some progress.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
To summarize, it means that the magic barrier protecting Noark might be dispelled soon.
Well, I don’t know how it will actually turn out.
‘Raven said it would take about 2 years…’
Goblin’s turn ends after he adds that the Magic Tower has set a goal of reducing it to 6 months.
Antler is next.
“The royal family has created a new type of identification tag. It’s a magic tool in the form of an engraving that can’t be forged. It seems like they’ve been preparing for a while, and they’ll start distributing it to explorers next week.”
“From next week…? Isn’t that useless? It’s not even the kind of information that can be used to gain an advantage beforehand.”
“Then one more thing. The royal family is keeping an eye on the clans that stopped exploring out of fear.”
“What exactly does ‘keeping an eye on them’ mean?”
“Judging by the atmosphere, it seems like they’ll definitely be punished somehow.
“…I see.”
Although she’s trying to hide it, Fox seems relieved after hearing Antler’s information.
So I also make a mental note of her reaction.
‘Fox, she’s highly likely a member of a clan. And not just an ordinary member, could she be the clan master?’
Of course, it’s still just a guess, so I listen to the next turn.
It’s Fox’s turn.
“The large clans are preparing a large-scale boycott.”
“Boycott? What do you mean?”
“What else could it be? They’re all refusing to enter the labyrinth. They’re already dissatisfied because of the subjugation, and there was a recent incident that fueled the fire.”
“Ah, you’re talking about that. I understand.”
Crescent Moon interjects as if he knows what it is.
“Bjorn Yandel, right?”
Huh?
Why is my name coming up here?
“Yes, that’s right. They exiled a perfectly fine explorer to Bifron over something that would normally end with a fine.”
Ah, that…
“Although it’s their jurisdiction, most clans interpreted it as a warning to us.”
“Public opinion won’t be good.”
“Right. There’s even talk that we might be forcibly conscripted next time if we back down any further.”
My hands clench, and my mouth goes dry the moment my name is mentioned, but fortunately, no one seems to have noticed.
No one seems interested in Bjorn Yandel.
‘Phew, that was close.’
Anyway, Fox’s turn ends after she answers a few more questions from Antler.
“So, who’s next? Should we continue clockwise?”
“…Clown, how about you go first?”
“Well, if you want me to.”
The Clown readily takes the fourth turn at Crescent Moon’s request.
It’s the turn I’m most looking forward to.
But could it be that he didn’t find any ‘interesting’ information this time?
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s something that Mr. Lion would find interesting, but I’ll try anyway.”
Unlike when he talked about the Bonding spell, the Clown speaks as if he’s just trying to get his turn over with.
“Everyone knows that High Priest Ludwig of the Stars went missing.”
“So?”
“The culprit was Orculus. They kidnapped him and were using him.”
“Do you know who the target is?”
“Well? I don’t know about that, pfft!”
The fourth turn ends with an ambiguous smile.
The Clown doesn’t even ask if I found it interesting.
Well, how would he know that it was the most interesting thing I heard today?
‘An assassin sent from Noark…’
One person comes to mind as soon as I hear it.
Amelia Rainwales.
Could she be one of the assassins sent up here?
Judging by her stats, she would be perfect for the job.
‘Then is her target Auril Gabis?’
That thought briefly crosses my mind, but I don’t think so.
It didn’t feel like she was lying when she said she was looking for him for personal reasons.
Anyway, I’ll think about this later.
“It’s my turn now.”
The long-awaited fifth turn begins.
The main character of this turn is Crescent Moon, who desperately wants the ‘Stone of Resurrection’. Judging by how he asked if the promise was still valid, it seems like he was quite confident.
What did he prepare?
“Do you all remember when I mentioned the traces of the ‘Sacred Relic Thief’ before?”
“Of course.”
The other masked figures nod as Crescent Moon subtly starts the conversation.
Well, everyone except for Goblin.
“Huh? Sacred Relic Thief?”
Goblin, who wasn’t at the gathering back then, tilts his head, but no one pays attention to him.
“So what? Is it information related to the Genesis Artifact again?”
Fox asks, not hiding her curiosity at all, and Crescent Moon nods.
And…
“The Genesis Artifacts no longer exist.”
He drops a bombshell.
____________________
Genesis Artifact.
The key to reaching the final floor where the Gate of the Abyss is located.
“…What do you mean the Genesis Artifacts no longer exist? I don’t understand at all.”
“Is this confirmed information? You’re not just assuming it?”
“Pfft, this is shocking.”
“Ho, ho, how could they disappear?”
It only takes a moment for the room to be filled with confusion, as expected of players who all desire to return home.
But was this a somewhat expected reaction?
Crescent Moon just continues explaining in a bitter voice.
“I wish it were just my mistake. But this is an undeniable fact. The Genesis Artifacts no longer exist in this world.”
“Ar, are you saying they were destroyed?”
“At least that’s the conclusion we reached.”
“Bu, but they’re indestructible items!!”
Goblin raises his voice as if whining, perhaps because he’s so shocked.
And at that moment…
Swaaa!
…a green light emanates from the jewel embedded in the center of the round table.
It means that what he said is true.
“So it’s true… that the Genesis Artifacts might be gone.”
Antler mutters in a dejected voice, and a long silence follows.
Crescent Moon is the first to speak.
“So? Was it interesting?”
It’s a difficult question to answer.
I was planning to say it was boring no matter what…
‘But how can I say that here?’
Crescent Moon was staring at me the whole time while he was sharing the information. He must have even noticed me flinching when I heard it.
‘What should I do?’
I make a decision after a brief contemplation.
It’s not a good choice to say it was boring here.
So…
“You’re resourceful.”
…let’s acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged.
But let’s minimize the losses in other aspects.
“That means…”
Crescent Moon’s breathing becomes ragged, as if he thinks the ‘Stone of Resurrection’ is within reach.
I mutter briefly,
“Honestly, it was quite impressive.”
Of course, there are losses if I acknowledge this.
Not only will I have to tell him about the ‘Stone of Resurrection’, but Crescent Moon, having obtained what he wanted, won’t be as enthusiastic in asking for information.
And…
…it doesn’t suit the Lion image I’ve created.
For the ‘Make Lion Laugh’ corner to be cleared on the first try?
It’s a blow to my pride.
But…
Smirk.
…there’s no problem.
I’m not Bjorn Yandel right now, but a veteran player wearing the ‘Lion’ mask.
‘Okay, that’s enough for the line.’
As soon as I finish my mental check…
…I ask Crescent Moon,
“How did you find out?”
As if I’m surprised by something else, not the fact that the Genesis Artifacts are gone.
To be precise…
“There aren’t many people who know that the Genesis Artifacts are gone.”
…as if I already knew about it.
“……!”
Crescent Moon’s eyes widen as he notices the nuance.
But could it be that he can’t tell that I’m bluffing?
He doesn’t even suspect me.
“…So you already knew.”
He just looks resigned and defeated.
I can practically feel his despair, wondering what he has to do to satisfy me.
It’s not a good situation for me.
“Pfft…”
Just look at the Clown, smiling awkwardly.
This will affect all the members who were baited.
Right, so in that sense…
Smirk.
I chuckle and say,
“You can obtain the Stone of Resurrection on the 9th floor.”
I can at least give him a consolation prize.
Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for him.
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